Apparatuses and Methods for a Flexible Display on a Mobile Device

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are provided for mobile phones, and similar sized electronics devices, with flexible displays, which allow suitable viewing sizes for different applications. The embodiment devices combine, into one compact package, the benefits of a small carry size with those of a large display. An embodiment mobile phone with a flexible display includes a first part having a first surface and a first edge, and a second part having a second surface and a second edge. A rotatable hinge couples the first edge of the first part is coupled to the second edge of the second part. The flexible display of the mobile phone is a continuous flexible display which has a back surface disposed on the first surface of the first part and on the second surface of the second part. The viewing surface of the flexible display is opposite to the back surface.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/044,536, filed on Feb. 16, 2016, which in turn claims priority fromand is a continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No.14/163,317 filed on Jan. 24, 2014 and entitled “Apparatuses and Methodsfor a Flexible Display on a Mobile Device,” which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/756,964 filed on Jan. 25, 2013 byHui Tan et al. and entitled “Systems and Method for a Flexible Displayon a Mobile Phone,” and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/761,514filed on Feb. 6, 2013 by Hui Tan et al. and entitled “Systems and Methodfor a Flexible Display on a Mobile Phone,” all of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference as if reproduced in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of mobile electronicsdevices, and, in particular embodiments, to apparatuses and methods fora flexible display on a mobile phone.

BACKGROUND

Mobile electronics devices, such as mobile phones, have small rigiddisplays. The displays of small mobile phones generally are too smallfor viewing a variety of material, and for performing a variety oftasks. Currently, flexible display technology is gaining interest in themobile phone industry. A flexible display is a display which is flexiblein nature, in contrast to the more prevalent traditional flat screendisplays currently used in different electronics devices. In the recentyears there has been a growing interest from numerous consumerelectronics manufacturers to apply this display technology in e-readers,mobile phones and other consumer electronics. Different technologies canbe used to generate such displays. Material and technology constraintsstill present challenges for using such displays in mobile phones.Currently, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are testing themarket in terms of display sizes. For example, a 3.5″ display isconsidered a suitable size for carrying devices around with ease. On theother hand, the 3.5″ size is a constraint on gaming and other high-endvideo applications. Users generally prefer a 5.0″ or greater displaysize for such applications. There is a need for mobile phones, orsimilar sized electronics devices, that take advantage of flexibledisplay technology and provide suitable viewing sizes for differentapplications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment, a mobile phone with a flexible displaycomprises a first part having a first surface and a first edge, and asecond part having a second surface and a second edge. The mobile phonefurther comprises a rotatable hinge that couples the first edge of thefirst part to the second edge of the second part. The flexible displayof the mobile phone is a continuous flexible display which has a backsurface disposed on the first surface of the first part and on thesecond surface of the second part. The viewing surface of the flexibledisplay is opposite to the back surface on the first surface of thefirst part and the second surface of the second part.

In accordance with another embodiment, a mobile phone with a flexibledisplay includes a first part having a first surface and a first edgeand a second part having a second surface and a second edge. The mobilephone further includes a link hinge expandable from second edge of thesecond part, and pluggable into the first edge of the first part. Theflexible display is a continuous flexible display having a back surfacedisposed on the first surface of the first part and on the secondsurface of the second part. The flexible surface has a viewing displayopposite to the back surface.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method of manufacturing amobile phone with a flexible display includes forming a first bodysection having a first main surface and a first edge, and forming asecond body section having a second main surface and a second edge. Thefirst edge of the first body section is coupled to the second edge ofthe second body section via a rotatable hinge or a link hinge. Themethod further includes attaching a back surface of a continuousflexible display to the first main surface of the first body section andto the second main surface of the second body section. The display has aviewing surface opposite the back surface.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method by a user foroperating a mobile phone includes folding, via a rotatable hinge basedon a cam mechanism or a link hinge, a continuous flexible display placedon a first part and a second part of the mobile phone at an angle withina range of angles from about 0 degree to at least 270 degrees. The angleis locked via the rotatable hinge or the link hinge. The mobile phone isthen operated at an operation mode according to the angle between thefirst part and the second part.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features of an embodimentof the present invention in order that the detailed description of theinvention that follows may be better understood. Additional features andadvantages of embodiments of the invention will be describedhereinafter, which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basisfor modifying or designing other structures or processes for carryingout the same purposes of the present invention. It should also berealized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructionsdo not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptionstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment mobile phone with aflexible display screen;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a rotatable hinge basedon a cam mechanism;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the rotatable hinge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a hinge head that is part of the rotatable hingeof FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a rotatable part of the hinge of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are front and back views of the mobile phone of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are top views of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 in differentoperation modes;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the mobile phone of FIG. 1 in yet anotheroperation mode;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of another embodiment mobile phone with aflexible display screen;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of components of the mobile phone of FIG.9;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are isometric front and back views of the mobile phoneof FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a section of the mobile phone of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a side view of an embodiment link hinge of the mobile phoneof FIG. 9;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are front and back side views of a section of the linkhinge of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 illustrates a method of operation of a mobile phone with aflexible display screen according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 16 illustrates a method of assembly of a mobile phone with aflexible display screen according to an embodiment of the disclosure;and

FIG. 17 is a diagram of a processing system that can be used toimplement various embodiments.

Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generallyrefer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures aredrawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the embodiments andare not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The making and using of the presently preferred embodiments arediscussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that thepresent invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that canbe embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed are merely illustrative of specific ways to makeand use the invention, and do not limit the scope of the invention.

Embodiments are provided herein for mobile phones, and similar sizedelectronics devices, which allow suitable viewing sizes for differentapplications using flexible display technology. The embodiment devicescombine, into one compact package, the benefits of a small carry sizewith those of a large display. Specifically, the device designs hereinincorporate a flexible display on a mobile phone (or a similar sizeelectronics device) that is flexible and foldable. The display can bentto a desired angle using movements of hinges that connect two frames ofthe device. Two embodiments for the hinges are provided: a rotatablehinge based on a cam mechanism and a link hinge. Both hinges allowfolding the two frames and the flexible display to lock at one of a widerange of discrete or finite angles. For instance, if the angle betweenthe frames is locked to 180 degrees (°), the display becomes flatproviding a full size or wide screen size view. If the two frames arerotated to face each other such that the surfaces of the two frames arein contact (the frames are folded on each other), the display is bent towrap around the two frames providing a double view on both sides of theframes. As such, the size view is about half the full size wide screenview, but the device becomes more compact in size. If the angle betweenthe frames is locked at or close to 90°, the screen is bent intoessentially a flattened (bottom) section and an erected (front) section,e.g., similar to a laptop form. The flattened part can be operated as atouch screen. Details of the embodiments and methods for operating andassembling the devices are described below.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment mobile phone 100 with a flexible displayscreen (not shown). The mobile phone 100 includes a first frame or part121 and a second frame or part 122 that are coupled to each other attheir edges via a shaft 130 with rotatable hinges 150 on both ends ofthe shaft. The parts 121 and 122 can be essentially plastic frames,aluminum frames or made of other suitable materials. The parts 121 and122 can be of different sizes or the same size. For instance, the firstpart 121 is larger in size than the second part 122 and holds the deviceelectronics, battery, power components, or other components. The secondpat 121 may also hold electronics or other components for operating thedevice, such as antennas. The rotatable hinges 150 are based on a cammechanism that allows folding the two parts 121 and 122 at variablerotation angles. The rotatable hinges 150 also allow the locking of thepositions of the two parts 121 and 122 at any one of multiple finiteangles in a range of available angels. The frames 121 and 122 can befolded with respect to one another and locked at discrete angleincrements in the available angle range as provided by the rotatablehinges 150.

The first part 121 serves as a display cover which holds the flexibledisplay around the edges and protects the edges of the display on thatend. The second part 122 also serves as a display holder which supportsand protects the flexible display on that end. A flexible protectivecover 160, which is bendable with the display, is placed on the shaft130. The flexible protective cover 160 provides support and protectionto the flexible display at the region between the two parts 121 and 122.The flexible protective cover 160 is molded to the second part 122 andto the first part 121. The flexible display is placed on and extendsover the first part 121, the flexible protective cover 160, and thesecond part 122. Additionally, strip springs 140 are embedded inside theflexible protective cover 160 (or between the flexible protective cover160 and the shaft 130), at opposite ends of the flexible protectivecover 160, e.g., on top of the rotatable hinges 150 in the shaft 130.The strip springs 140 operate in combination with the cam mechanism ofthe rotatable hinges 150 to provide smooth and controlled anglepositioning between the two parts 121 and 122. A fastener 170 isconnected to the second part 122 at the edge opposite to the shaft 130.The fastener 170 allows the fastening and releasing of the second part122 with the first part 121. For instance, the fastener includes a lockand release button and a latch. Alternative fastening and release meanscan also be used.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an embodiment of a rotatable hinge 150 based on a cammechanism. The rotatable hinge 150 includes a hinge head 210, a springholder 230, and a rotatable part 220 positioned between the hinge head210 and the spring holder 230. The spring holder 230 holds a spring 340that is connected to the rotatable part 220. Specifically, the hingehead 210 and the spring holder 230 are fixed within the shaft 130 withrespect to the first part 121. However, the rotatable part 220 rotatesas the second part 122 is manually folded to a chosen angle with respectto the first part 121. This rotation generates a torque by the spring340 and the strip springs 140 on the rotatable part 230, which providesa controlled and smooth rotation.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show top and facing views of the hinge head 210 and therotatable part 220. The hinge head 210 protrudes into a socket withinthe rotatable part 220. Both the protrusion and the socket includemultiple teeth distributed at equal discrete angles around thecircumferences of the protrusion and the socket (in a complete angularrange of 360°). As such, the teeth form a star like geometry. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the protrusion and socket haveessentially and hexagram shape with a total of six teeth, whichdetermine the angular increments (angular resolution). The teeth may notbe symmetrical but slightly slanted or skewed to allow the locking ofthe rotatable part 220 onto the fixed hinge head 210.

When the two parts 121 and 122 are fully folded on each other, by thehinge cam mechanism, the flexible display folds accordingly and wrapsaround the surfaces of the two parts 121 and 122. Thus, the flexibledisplay allows viewing on both opposite outer (exposed) surfaces of themobile phone 100. The mobile phone 100 also has a compact size in thiscase. In an embodiment, when the parts 121 and 122 are folded on eachother, the second part 122 becomes embedded in the first part 121 suchthat the second part 122 does not protrude beyond the frame of the firstpart 121. This provides a more compact form for the mobile phone 100.

The design of the rotatable hinges 150 allows rotation in a range fromabout 0° to more than about 270°. At about 0°, the two parts 121 and 122are folded on each other as in FIG. 1. When the angle between the twoframes 121 and 122 is rotated, using the hinge mechanism, up to 180degrees (°), the flexible display is extended to a full size view. Assuch, the mobile phone 100 can be used similar to a tablet, which isconvenient for reading or web surfing. The angle can be rotated beyondthe 180° to fold the screen on itself, thus allowing a curved displayview. For example, when the angle is rotated at about 270°, the flexibledisplay can be folded close to or at 90°, where the erected frame of thescreen can operate as a display and the flattened frame (or a portion ofit) can operate as a touch keyboard. As such, the mobile phone 100 canbe used similar to a laptop, which is convenient for typing.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are front and back views of the mobile phone 100. Thefront view shows a portion of the flexible display 110 on the first part121. The back view shows the opposite side of the mobile phone 100,which includes another portion of the flexible display 110 on the secondpart 122, and the release button 170.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show different operation modes of the mobile phone 100.In FIG. 7A, the two parts 121 and 122 (not shown) are folded onto eachother. The mobile phone 100 has a compact format and either sides of theflexible display 110 can be used. In FIG. 7B, the flexible display 110is unfolded to 180° between the two parts 121 and 122, which offers thewidest and largest size view possible. FIG. 8 shows yet anotheroperation mode of the mobile phone 100. In this case, the flexibledisplay 110 is folded at a less than 180°, e.g., close to a 90°, whichis suitable for typing. In an embodiment, the mobile phone's operatingsystem detects the rotation angle and automatically selects a suitableoperation mode. For instance, when the two parts 121 and 122 are foldedon each other (as in FIG. 7a ), the mobile phone 100 automaticallyswitches to a “phone” mode. In this mode, at least one of the portionsof the flexible display 110, on one side of the folded mobile phone 100,displays phone functions (e.g., dial pad, date, time, weather,cellular/WiFi signal strength). When the flexible display 110 isunfolded to 180°, the mobile phone 100 switches to a “tablet” mode. Inthis mode, the flexible display 110 displays widgets or mobile apps.When the flexible display 110 is folded on itself at less than 180°, themobile phone 100 switches to a “laptop” mode. In this mode, the bottomsection of the flexible display 110 (e.g., on the first part 121)displays a touch keyboard.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of a mobile phone 900 with a flexibledisplay screen. The mobile phone 900 includes similar components as themobile phone 100. Specifically, the mobile phone 900 includes a firstpart 921 and a second part 922. The parts 921 and 922 are similar to thecorresponding pasts 121 and 122. For instance, the first part 921 islarger in size than the second part 922 and holds all or moreelectronics components, power components, and battery. A flexibledisplay 910 is placed and extends over both parts 921 and 922. Afastener 970 is also connected to the second part 922 on one edge, andallows fastening and releasing the second part 922 with the first part921.

FIG. 10 shows further components of the mobile phone 900. The componentsinclude link hinges 950 on both edges of the second part 922. Thecomponents also include a flexible protective cover 960, which is moldedto sections of the second part 122 and the first part 121. The flexibledisplay (not shown) is placed on both parts 921 and 922 and the flexibleprotective cover 960 between them. The flexible protective cover 960 isbendable with the flexible display and provides support and protectionto the flexible display at the region between the two parts 921 and 922.Unlike the mobile phone 100, the mobile phone 900 does not include ashaft between the two parts 921 and 922. Instead the two parts 921 and922 are coupled to each other via the flexible protective cover 960 andthe flexible display. The link hinges 950 are embedded in the secondpart 922 when the parts 922 and 921 are folded on each other as shown inFIG. 10.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show front and back views of the mobile phone 900. Theparts 922 and 921 are positioned at an angle between 90° and 180°,similar to a laptop form. At such angle positioning, the link hinges 950expand from the second part 922 and plug in the first part 921 tosupport the angle positioning and lock the angle between the two parts921 and 922. FIG. 12 is a side view of a section of the mobile phone 100showing a link hinge 950 in the second part 922. For each link hinge950, a spring 955 and a latch mechanism 990 is also embedded in thesecond part 922. A side portion of the latch mechanism 990 is exposedand accessible via a side opening in the second part 922, on each of thetwo opposite edges. FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the link hinge 950,including a first hinge part 961 and a second hinge part 962 linked by arod 951. The second hinge part 962 includes a series of holes that allowtranslation of the rod 951 across the second part 962 and hence theexpansion of the first part 961. FIGS. 14A and 14B show front and backside views of the interface section between the first hinge part 961 andthe second hinge part 962. FIG. 14A shows the shapes of the rod 951 andone of the holes 951. FIG. 14B shows the shape of the rod 951 on theother end. The shapes can be any suitable shapes that allow locking thetwo hinge parts 961 and 962 at an angle.

The second hinge part 962 can be pushed outside the second part 922 byoperating the latch mechanism 990. The exposed side of the latchmechanism 990 can be pressed to release the second hinge part 962 insidethe second part 922, which allows the spring to expand and push thesecond part 962 outside the second part 921. This movement exposes theholes of the second hinge part 962 and allows translating the rod 951into the desired hole to properly extend the first part 961 and lock theangle positioning. When the first part 961 is extended, it plugs intothe edge of the first part 921. The link hinge 950 is pushed back insidethe second part 922, by folding the two parts 921 and 922 on each other,until the link hinge 950 is locked in by the latch mechanism 990.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment method 1500 for operating a mobilephone, or similar electronics device, with a flexible display screen,such as the mobile phone 100 or 900. At step 1510, a flexible display onthe two parts of the mobile phone is folded manually at a suitable anglebetween the two parts. The angle is locked via a rotatable hinge basedon a cam mechanism or a link hinge, as described above. For example, thetwo parts can be fully folded on one another as in FIGS. 6a and 6B,fully unfolded at 180° as in FIGS. 7A and 7B, or folded at less than180° as in FIG. 8. At step 1520, an operation mode for the mobile phoneis selected according to the angle between the two parts. For instance,the operating system (OS) of the mobile phone detects the angle betweenthe two parts and accordingly selects a suitable operation mode. Theangle can be detected via any suitable mechanism, e.g., via embeddedsensors or by user input. Alternatively, the user enters a selected modeas input, such as by selecting a mode from available modes. The twoapproaches can be used together. For example, the OS selects a suitablemode but the user can reselect another operation mode. Each operationmode may have a designated view mode, e.g., full single view, dividedview (e.g., a viewing window and a touch keyboard), or multiple windowviews. Each operation mode can also have suitable power settings andother feature settings.

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment method 1600 for assembling or making amobile phone, or similar electronics device, with a flexible displayscreen, such as the mobile phone 100 or 900. At step 1610, the two partsof the mobile phone are made as separate parts, using any suitablemanufacturing process. The two parts includes a first part essentiallyfor holding electronics and power components of the phone and a secondpart serving as a support stand for the flexible display of the phone.At an optional step 1615 (shown in dashed lines), the two parts areconnected at corresponding edges via a shaft. For instance, this step isused in the case of the mobile phone 100. At step 1620, rotatable hingesbased on a cam mechanism or link hinges are added on opposite ends ofthe mobile phone where the two parts are to be coupled. For instance, inthe case of a shaft that couples the two parts, a rotatable hinge isadded on each end of the shaft. Alternatively, link hinges are embeddedat opposite ends of the two parts, as in the case of the mobile phone900. At step 1630, a flexible protective cover is molded onto each ofthe two parts to couple the two parts together and allow the folding ofthe two parts with respect to each other at variable angles. At step1640, the flexible display screen is placed on both parts and theflexible protective cover between the two parts, using any suitablemanufacturing process.

Although the embodiment systems, apparatuses, and methods above aredescribed in the context of a mobile phone, any of the embodiments canbe extended to a suitable portable electronics device of similar sizeand form. FIG. 17 is a block diagram of an exemplary processing system1700 that can be used to implement any of the embodiments above. Forexample, the processing system 1700, or at least a subset of the system1700, is part of the mobile phone 100 or 900. Specific devices mayutilize all of the components shown, or only a subset of the componentsand levels of integration may vary from device to device. Furthermore, adevice may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multipleprocessing units, processors, memories, transmitters, receivers, etc.The processing system 1700 may comprise a processing unit 1701 equippedwith one or more input/output devices, such as a network interfaces,storage interfaces, and the like. The processing unit 1701 may include acentral processing unit (CPU) 1710, a memory 1720, a mass storage device1730, and an I/O interface 1760 connected to a bus. The bus may be oneor more of any type of several bus architectures including a memory busor memory controller, a peripheral bus or the like.

The CPU 1710 may comprise any type of electronic data processor. Thememory 1720 may comprise any type of system memory such as static randomaccess memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronousDRAM (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), a combination thereof, or thelike. In an embodiment, the memory 1720 may include ROM for use atboot-up, and DRAM for program and data storage for use while executingprograms. In embodiments, the memory 1720 is non-transitory. The massstorage device 1730 may comprise any type of storage device configuredto store data, programs, and other information and to make the data,programs, and other information accessible via the bus. The mass storagedevice 1730 may comprise, for example, one or more of a solid statedrive, hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, an optical disk drive, orthe like.

The processing unit 1701 also includes one or more network interfaces1750, which may comprise wired links, such as an Ethernet cable or thelike, and/or wireless links to access nodes or one or more networks1780. The network interface 1750 allows the processing unit 1701 tocommunicate with remote units via the networks 1780. For example, thenetwork interface 1750 may provide wireless communication via one ormore transmitters/transmit antennas and one or more receivers/receiveantennas. In an embodiment, the processing unit 1701 is coupled to alocal-area network or a wide-area network for data processing andcommunications with remote devices, such as other processing units, theInternet, remote storage facilities, or the like.

While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure,it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods might beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components may be combined or integrated in another systemor certain features may be omitted, or not implemented.

In addition, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as coupled or directly coupled orcommunicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicatingthrough some interface, device, or intermediate component whetherelectrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes,substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in theart and could be made without departing from the spirit and scopedisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile phone comprising: a first part having afirst surface; a second part having a second surface; a rotatable hingecoupling the first part to the second part; a continuous flexibledisplay having a viewing surface disposed on the first surface of thefirst part and on the second surface of the second part; at least one ofthe viewing surfaces disposed on the first surface and the secondsurface displaying a first user interface layout when the first part andthe second part are folded on each other; and the viewing surfacesdisposed on the first surface and the second surface jointly displayinga second user interface layout when the first part and the second partare unfolded to 180°.